Glover class action settled for $61 million
Press release from Gloverclass.com:
Under a class action settlement announced today, the United States Postal Service will pay $61 million to resolve the workplace disability discrimination claims of over 7500 current and former postal workers. Over $53 million will be distributed directly to the workers, the balance represents attorneys fees and expenses of the attorneys who have been litigating the case over the last 14 years.
The case, Glover/Albrecht v. Potter, involves denial of promotion and advancement opportunities to U.S. Postal Service employees with workplace disabilities who had been placed in dead end “rehabilitation” positions. Nearly a third of the employees in rehabilitation positions since 1992 will recover under the settlement. The recovery is by far the largest in a disability discrimination employment class action.
Under an Initial Settlement announced in 2004, the discriminatory policy was ended, and over 10,543 of the more than 25,000 rehabilitation workers filed claims of disability discrimination. After review, 3057 of the claims were dismissed, leaving 7512 claims to be resolved. After extensive mediation, the Postal Service and the attorneys for the workers reached this Global Settlement, which was preliminarily approved by a federal administrative judge on May 23, 2007. Formal notice will be sent to the class members by June 22, and the judge must review any objections to the settlement and then approve it before it becomes final.
Under the settlement, claimants who sign a release will receive their shares by November 2007. Those who do not sign a release will receive their shares after any appeal of the approval of the settlement, which could take a year or more.
Denver attorney John Mosby, lead counsel for the class, has fought this case for over 14 years. “I am happy that a case that started out as an individual claim by one worker, has led to a measure of justice for thousands.”
Brad Seligman of The Impact Fund, a Berkeley, California nonprofit law firm that led the negotiations for the class, explained the importance of the settlement: “While disability class actions are rare, this case shows that stigmatizing employees because of their status can have enormous consequences.”
The class was also represented by Elisa Moran of Denver, and Marilyn Cain Gordon of Washington D.C.
The case arose in 1993, when Chandler Glover, a Denver Postal worker, filed a claim of discrimination. Later, Dean Albrecht of Clearwater, Florida, joined as co-class representative. The class representatives each receive $85,000 in the settlement.
Further information, including the settlement documents, may be found at www.gloverclass.com.
June 1st, 2007 12:43
Pay up USPS! AHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
June 16th, 2007 21:15
Thanks Glover representatives for all your hard work, looking forward to hear from the settlement letter soon Thabks again and God Bless!
June 27th, 2007 10:06
Dear Sir;
thank you for being so faithful.
I cannot begin to tell you how justice will prevail. all my sufferings and pain which i still
live in behind the accident om 3-10-81.
I thank God for you all. Especially for the young men that took a stand.
you have my thanks of joy.
many thanks
Zella Miller Burno
June 27th, 2007 12:30
THANK GOD THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HEARD, BUT DOES THIS CHANGE THE POST
SERVICE? NO. WHEN THIS CASE IS FINALLY OVER–OVER THEY WILL BE RIGHT BACK
IN BUSSINESS DOING WHAT THEY DO BEST, “DIRT”. I AM A REHAB. WORKER IN RICHMOND VA. AND FROM A THRU Z USING WORDS IT HAS HAPPEN TO ME . IT IS NOTHING LEFT TO DO TO ME , ALL THE TRICKS ARE GONE. I HAVE 7YEARS LEFT
FOR RETIREMENT CAN I MAKE IT, WHO KNOWS BUT GOD. TREATING A VETERAN
IN THIS MANNER ONLY SHOW HIM OR HER THAT THE FIGHT NEVER ENDS JUST THE BATTLE GROUND.
July 3rd, 2007 16:01
Although this is a victory, for many it will be only a symbolic victory. As the press release says:
“Under the settlement, claimants who sign a release will receive their shares by November 2007. Those who do not sign a release will receive their shares after any appeal of the approval of the settlement, which could take a year or more.”
The release mentioned here is a waiver wherein the injured employee agrees to settle his or her claim for pennies on the dollar. If you don’t want to sell out; if you want real justice, then you will have to wait much longer. And, even then, you might not get it.
July 3rd, 2007 16:03
Looks like management wins again unless most people refuse to sign away their claims.
August 10th, 2007 14:04
It doesn’t make sense to me how I’m guaranteed $ if I sign release now but may not get anything later if I don’t sign now. Is it like a long shot? If I Hold out is it possible that I will receive more than what they are offering me now, but may not get anything ? Any advice out there?
August 28th, 2007 17:10
I wouldn’t complain so much except I’ve been a REHAB employee over 9yrs. I submitted the class action papers however I have yet to receive any correspondence from Grover/Albrecht Lawyers office. I’ve been put off work, no work available non-sense. I’ve been reduced from level 6 to level 5.
I would welcome any amount as long as the Post office is held responsible for what they have done to people.
September 6th, 2007 22:32
I was overlooked when I was off with carpal tunnel syndrum. I was head clerk, and they passed me by because of my limited duty, yet the clerk underneath me was offered this promotion without even consulting me. The job they gave her, I could have done, even with my limited duty, if offered. They knew I was coming back, but I was treated horribly because I hurt myself on the job. Funny thing, I never got a settlement when I was told I only had 20% usage in both my arms. Any money owed to me I will gladly accept and feel owed.
October 30th, 2007 11:40
I’m one of the lucky few who will get a few dollars from the postal service after an on the job injury. The postal service looks at injured workers as though they’ve gotten hurt on purpose. Even after I’ve had surgery for my injury I’m still in pain daily. OWCP gives you pennies and then the post office sticks it up your ass when all you’re trying to do is make a living. I’ve worked for the postal service for 16 yrs and I have NEVER had to go through such grief as under my current management. (my injury happened in 1996 and my postmaster still holds it against me….she almost takes it personally, kind of like the money is coming out of her pocket.) I thank these people who had the courage to stand up and say we’re not going to take it anymore. I look forward to my check coming next month and appreciate all the hard work done by all. God Bless!!
October 31st, 2007 11:49
What about incorporating all that money we will get into our retirement? Do we not deserve to reap the entitlements off of that portion which we rightly deserve?
November 7th, 2007 21:31
I guess you might say I was fortunate indeed, I was brought back to work after a
operation given to me on a leg by the Vet. Admin. I still had a cast on my leg and
was given a job in C.F.S. which required me to raise up and down many times with
only my right leg, I fell and was treated like dirt for some some 18 years. I was finally
retired in 1992, but was with held from being promoted for this time. Even after
scoreing a 92 on the Postmaster’s exam. Thanks for coming to bat for the people
who through no fault of their own have been denied their rights. I received the injury
to my left leg while serving in the military and feel I could have done a lot better had
it not been for my injury’s. I am also in agreement with the suggestion that something
should be done with the retirement situation for this period. Once More Thanks!!